Britannia Event manager, Theresa, tells us everything you can expect from taking part in this fabulous annual event with Britannia Events, including our top five tips on how to get the most out of your time, whether taking part or spectating…
What is the Round the Island Race?
The Round the Island Race is a one-day regatta held annually in the summer, which sees participants sail 50-nautical miles around the stunning coastline of the Isle of Wight. The event is the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK, behind the iconic London Marathon and Great North and South Runs – and the best part…YOU CAN TAKE PART YOURSELF!
When is the Round the Island Race this year?
Round the Island 2022 is scheduled to take place on Saturday 25th June 2022.
Do I have to be a sailor to take part in the Round the Island Race?
No, we regularly take novice crews out to race in the Round the Island. No prior sailing experience is necessary, as all of our bespoke packages include a professional race skipper, first mate and training day.
Can I hire an entire yacht from you?
Yes you can! We have a large range of yachts available, ranging from 37 to 46ft so you can charter the whole yacht for yourselves. All of our Round the Island packages include professional crew. If you are qualified and would like to take part independently, our sister company Fairview Sailing have yachts available on a bareboat basis. If you are an individual wishing to take part, our sister company Sailing Logic offers spaces on an individual basis.
What does the Round the Island Race course look like?
The 50nm course takes you around the coastline of the Isle of Wight, where you will pass some of the UK’s most prominent landmarks, including The Needles and St. Catherine’s Point.
To view the course map in full, visit the official Round the Island Website.
What does a typical package with Britannia Events look like for the Round the Island Race?
You will join us on Friday morning at our base in Port Hamble Marina, where you will meet your skipper and first mate. Following a thorough safety briefing, you will head out on the water for yacht familiarisation and a fun day training session on the water. Late afternoon you will berth in Cowes Yacht Haven to enjoy pre-race festivities, and hopefully some sleep before the big race day!
On Saturday morning, expect an early start followed by a day racing around the Isle of Wight through the spectacular Needles and clearing St Catherine’s Point heading east towards Cowes and the finish line. Once racing finishes, celebrate in style with your Salcombe Gin & Tonic from our partner, putting you in the mood for celebrations in the race village in Cowes.
On Sunday morning, teams are invited to rejoin their yacht at 9:30am for a leisurely sail back to Port Hamble Marina where you can depart.
If I need accommodation, team kit or boat/clothing branding can you assist?
Yes, we work with some fantastic partners including Helly Hansen. Here at Britannia we can help you organise catering, restaurant reservations, on-shore accommodation, ferry travel, RIB transfers, boat branding, branded team kit, photography packages and much more. Meaning all you need to do is invite your guests and turn up!
What about if I want to spectate? Do you offer packages for that?
Yes! For a different way to experience the Round the Island race, we can offer our high speed RIB for up to eight guests. You will enjoy a morning spectating the start line and chasing the boats towards The Needles Lighthouse in amongst the action.
We then make our way into Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight for a delicious lunch ashore. Spend the afternoon heading towards the finish line to see the first boats cross the line.
You can finish your day in Hamble or head into Cowes to explore the race village and listen to some fantastic live music. It truly is a great way to view this stunning spectacle!
Are there any other activities that happen while the regatta is on?
The Round the Island Race is not just about the sailing action – the quaint town of Cowes itself is well worth exploring while the regatta takes place as it becomes a hive of activity with live music, bars, food stalls and pop-up retail stands taking over this pretty coastal sailing hub!
What are our five golden tips for enjoying the Round the Island Race?
- Food is fuel – it’s a long day out on the water so make sure you keep your fuel tank topped up (and we don’t mean the yacht!). Lunches and snacks can be included in your package and water, tea and coffee will be provided on board
- Bring the essentials – the weather can be changeable so if you are sailing, cover all bases: wear layers, bring suncream, sunglasses and a cap, as well as a woolly hat! Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes in case you get wet, otherwise you may be trying to enjoy post-racing drinks in soggy shorts
- Pack light – bringing the essentials does not mean the kitchen sink! Less weight onboard means the boat goes faster
- Get an early night on Friday – ready for a very early morning start and what could be a very late night on Saturday
- Make the most of your training day – the start line of the Round the Island Race can be quite exciting for those who have never taken part before; making sure you are fully prepared means you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience on race day itself.
Find out more
If you would like to take part in the Round the Island Race, either on board a yacht or as a spectator, we can help! Contact us today to discuss our bespoke packages on 02380 458900 or email info@35.178.249.41.
